Gharibabadi: Implementation of Hormuz Understanding with Oman depends on U.S. commitments
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Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs
Pars Today – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs stressed that the understanding between Iran and Oman regarding arrangements for passage through the Strait of Hormuz will not be implemented automatically, and that its implementation depends on the fulfillment of commitments by the other party, particularly the United States.
According to Pars Today, citing IRIB, Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, said: “We have explicitly stated that whenever the conditions and commitments incumbent upon the United States are fulfilled, the Islamic Republic of Iran is also prepared to take the necessary measures regarding the Strait of Hormuz. If they take no action, naturally, the Islamic Republic of Iran has no urgency to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and will continue its measures to defend Iran and confront its enemies. Iran has always been prepared for any scenario.”
Referring to the new U.S. sanctions, the Iranian deputy foreign minister added: “The latest action taken by our enemies, specifically the United States, in the form of a new sanctions package is nothing new, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared for it as well.”
He added: “If the United States assumes that it wishes to return to the diplomatic table, it should know that Iran has not violated the Islamabad memorandum of understanding. Rather, it was the United States that, for the third time in the past 16 months, betrayed diplomacy and the negotiating table.”
Rejecting claims that some vessels are passing freely through the Strait of Hormuz, Gharibabadi stressed: “The Strait of Hormuz is completely closed, and if any ship passes through this route, it is certainly doing so with the coordination and authorization of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran’s armed forces have complete oversight of any activity in the Strait of Hormuz and are carrying out their mission in the best possible manner.”
